Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Great animals, good 'hands on' approach |
| Disadvantages: |
None really, except if you don't like birds |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
The next stop on my review-tour of the Isle of Wight is Seaview Wildlife Encounter. Formerly known as The Flamingo Park, the wildlife encounter is located in the sunny seaside town of Seaview. I've visited twice in the last few years, and it is a great day out.
**About the Park & Location**
Seaview is on the Eastern side of the Island, not far from Ryde up the coast, and Sandown down the coast. The park's main
attraction was, for some years, its collection of Flamingo's, hence the name. However, I believe the name was changed a couple of years ago to Seaview Wildlife Encounter, so that it's clear that it is not only flamingo's there.
The park is relatively large, so you should plan to spend the day there, however if you do find that you're finished before the day is over, it's only a short walk or drive to the lovely, sandy beach.
**The Wildlife Encounter**
Judging by the name, you would expect there to be a lot of wildlife at Seaview, and it doesn't disappoint. This is not quite a zoo, as 'traditional' zoo type animals eg. lions, elephants, tigers etc. are not present. What you do see there though are still rather exotic. Upon entering the park, you'll find the Penguin Pool immediately to your left. This is quite fun - the penguins are very funny animals to watch. At intervals, you can watch the penguin feeding time, which is worth waiting for.
The trainers come out with buckets of fish, and the audience stands along a wooden barrier/platform opposite the pool. Children can stand nearer the edge of the pool and be handed a fish to throw in, if they are so inclined. The trainers try and make it as interesting as possible, by talking for a little while about the penguins and their habits, before throwing the fish for the penguins to catch. After the feeding, one of the trainers will take a penguin along the line of children for them to stroke. Don't worry about germs - there is a hand wash point with antibacterial soap close by, which you are definitely encouraged to use.
Carrying on through the park you will encounter other species, including the famed Flamingos. They're enclosed behind a meshed fence, and are mildly interesting - though as they don't really do anything but stand there on one leg, there's not much to look at. Nearby to the flamingos is an area called 'Meerkat Madness', which is infinitely more fun. These little tiny creatures scurry around their specially built desert-type pen, and are really amusing to watch. Like with the penguins, at intervals a trainer will appear and throw out raw vegetables and fruit for the meerkats to find and tidy away.
The flight aviary contains several species of parrot and cockatiel, and like the Flamingos, are quite interesting. Both times we have been there has been a trainer on hand to talk to you about the birds, and to tell you about the protection project the park is involved in. They'll also come along the line of people and hand out fruit/nuts which you can pass through the bars to the birds.
In the centre of the park is Pets Corner, a sheltered area where there are 'domestic' animals of all sorts, ranging from rabbits and guinea pigs, to goats and pigs. This is fun for animal lovers, as you can pet some of these animals. Next to the pets corner is Wallaby Walkabout which is one of the most popular attractions.
A wide field enclosed either end by double gates, this area is reserved for the two-legges marsupials. As far as I can remember, you can only enter this area at designated times throughout the day, when the trainers open the gate and take in big buckets of vegetables and fruit. The trainers talk to you for a bit about the wallaby's, and then throw out some fruit for them. They'll also give out fruit to the audience for you to throw out to the wallaby's as well. This is a great part of the park - it's really quite cool to see these magnificent creatures up close, and what's unusual about some of them is that they have a strain of albino wallaby's - pure white with red eyes. They've also had babies when we've visited, which gives the 'awww factor'.
Around the perimeter of the park is the "Willow Walk", which eventually leads you down to a large lake. All along here are lots and lots of water birds - geese, swans, ducks, coots etc. in a natural nesting environment. Expect to be followed by the geese - especially if you have bought a bag of bird feed at the gate. I have to admit, this was not my favourite part of the visit, as I really do not like Canadian geese (bad experience when I was a child). It's quite creepy the way they follow you around, watch you with their beady eyes and look like they want to peck you to death! However, it is a nice walk if you can ignore this, and you're likely to see what we dubbed "afro ducks", which are quite funny. Little ducks with huge feather 'afros'. There are benches intermittently along the walk.
Walking back up the park on the other side from the lake, you'll encounter a peacock pen, wildfowl, owls and various other pens with various birds in. Completing the circular tour of the park, you'll find the covered picnic area and the cafe. The picnic area is really nice, and is edged by a large fishpond, with some very big fish! You can eat your own picnic here, or buy your food from the cafe and eat it. Be warned though - birds and ducks are on the loose, and are likely to hang around waiting for an odd crust or chip. If this is not your thing, you might find it better to eat inside!
Past the cafe and picnic area is the tropical house, a large tropical aviary which houses rare birds and plantlife alongside lovely water displays and sculptures. This is a lovely relaxing area, and there's a lot to look at.
Other areas include a lake with beavers in, and a 'pelican bay'.
Condensed down like this, it doesn't seem as though there is much here, however you will spend quite a long time at each section of the park.
**Facilities**
As I mentioned earlier, there is an on site cafe, which serves drinks, cakes, ice creams and meals. There is a fair-sized seating area, which leads onto the gift shop, where you'll find wildlife-themed gifts, as well as Isle of Wight themed gifts. All of the prices are relatively reasonable - what you would expect for this kind of attraction.
The only toilets to be found in the park are those next to the cafe, however these were clean and well kept. There are hand washing stations at various places in the park, due to the 'hands on' nature of the activities.
The car park is large, and it is free to park.
**Information**
Opening Times:
April 1st - September 30th: 10 am to 5 pm (last admission 4.00 pm)
October: 10 am to 4 pm (last admissions 3pm)
Admission Prices
Adults: £7.25
Child (3 - 15 yrs): £5.25
Senior Citizens: £6.25
Family Ticket: £23.00 (2 adults 2 children)
Group Rates available
Bird food for feeding the geese, ducks and swans is available to buy at the entrance and the gift shop, for around 50p a bag. This makes the Willow Walk by the lake a lot more interesting for younger children.
http://www.flamingoparkiw.com/
**Overall**
I'd definitely recommend Seaview Wildlife Encounter for a day out, there's a lot to do, see and be learned. The 'hands on' approach that the park takes is great, as instead of just walking around looking at the animals, you can actively participate. A lot of fun!
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